Multi-connection device and multi-connection method

ABSTRACT

The multi-connection method includes following steps: simultaneously establishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time by a Bluetooth module; processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection by a processor; wherein the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module; wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/579,904, filed Nov. 1, 2017, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-connections method and amulti-connection device. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a multi-connection method and a multi-connection device forconnecting the multiple sound devices by an electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Recently, the sound devices, e.g., speaker and external microphone, arebecoming common peripheral accessories of smart phone. In general, thetraditional method for connecting one smart phone to two speakers isthat the smart phone connects to one speaker firstly, and then thespeaker connects to another speaker to finish the connections.

However, the traditional method is not flexible to apply differentapplications. For example, the speaker connected to the smart phone ishard to connect to another speaker when a distance between these twospeakers is too far. Therefore, it is important to provide a method anda system to connecting the multiple sound devices by an electronicdevice.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a multi-connectiondevice. A multi-connection device comprises a Bluetooth module and aprocessor. The Bluetooth module simultaneously establishes a firstconnection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a secondconnection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connectiontime. The processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module. The processor isconfigured for processing a first electrical signal transmitted via thefirst connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via thesecond connection. The processor adjusts the first electrical signal togenerate the second electrical signal.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to amulti-connection method. In accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the multi-connection method includes followingsteps: simultaneously establishing a first connection with a rightchannel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channelunit of the headphone during a connection time by a Bluetooth module;processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the firstconnection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the secondconnection by a processor; wherein the processor is coupled to theBluetooth module; wherein the processor adjusts the first electricalsignal to generate the second electrical signal.

In this embodiment, the multi-connection device and the multi-connectionmethod can control the voices outputted by sound devices according to awhispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode. And, themulti-connection system and the multi-connection system can flexiblyswitch to different modes by manual configuration, RSSI detection orUsonic detection. The present disclosure enhances the application of thesound devices by establishing the multi-connection directly between theelectronic device and sound devices, without other device. No connectionneed to be established between sound devices each other. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited in this regard, another communicationtechnology is within the contemplate scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-connection system according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a multi-connection method according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3-6 depict schematic diagrams of the scenarios applying themulti-connection method according to one embodiment of presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the embodiments.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout theclaims that follow, when an element is referred to as being “connected”or “electrically connected” to another element, it can be directlyconnected to the other element or intervening elements may be present.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” to another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. Moreover, “electrically connect” or “connect” can further referto the interoperation or interaction between two or more elements.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout theclaims that follow, the terms “comprise” or “comprising,” “include” or“including,” “have” or “having,” “contain” or “containing” and the likeused herein are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to meanincluding but not limited to.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout theclaims that follow, the phrase “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout theclaims that follow, unless otherwise defined, all terms (includingtechnical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those definedin commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specificfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). In particular, the use of “step of” inthe claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§ 112(f).

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of amulti-connection system 100 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a multi-connection method 200according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the multi-connections system 100includes a headphone HDP having a left channel unit LCU, a sound deviceSDR, and an electronic device ED. The left channel unit LCU includesmicrophone MIL and speaker SPL. The right channel unit RCU includesmicrophone MIR and speaker SPR. The electronic device ED includes awireless connection module WCM and a processor PCR.

In one embodiment, the microphones MIL, MIR can be implemented by anycomponent with radio function. In one embodiment, the speaker SPL, SPRcan be implemented by any component with sound playing function. In oneembodiment, the electronic device ED can be implemented by a smartphone, a laptop, a panel or other electronic device with computingfunction. In one embodiment, the wireless connection module WCM can beimplemented by Bluetooth module, Wi-Fi device or other wirelesscommunication device. The Bluetooth module can be implemented byQualcomm IC QCC3026, QCC 5121, or etc. In one embodiment, the processorPCR can be implemented by a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digitalsignal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), ora logic circuit.

In step 210, wireless connection module WCM (e.g., a Bluetooth module)simultaneously establishes a first connection with a right channel unitRCU of a headphone HDP and a second connection with a left channel unitLCU of the headphone HDP during a connection time.

In one embodiment, a wireless connection module WCM establishes a firstconnection BL1 between the electronic device ED and the left channelunit LCU and establishes a second connection BL2 between the electronicdevice ED and the right channel unit RCU.

In one embodiment, a user can wear the left channel unit LCU on his/herleft ear and another user can wear the right channel unit RCU on his/herright ear. In one embodiment, each the left channel unit LCU and theright channel unit RCU includes a connection unit such as Bluetoothmodule or Wi-Fi module (not illustrated).

In one embodiment, the wireless connection module WCM establishes thefirst connection BL1 by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi between the wirelessconnection module WCM and the sound device SDR and establishes thesecond connection BL2 by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi between the wirelessconnection module WCM and the right channel unit RCU in the same time.In other words, the wireless connection module WCM simultaneouslyestablishes the first connection BL2 with the right channel unit RCU ofthe headphone HDP and the second connection with a left channel unit LCUof the headphone HDP during a connection time.

In step 220, processor PCR processes a first electrical signaltransmitted via the first connection BL1 or a second electrical signaltransmitted via the second connection BL2.

In one embodiment, a microphone (e.g., microphone MIL) of the leftchannel unit LCU converts a sound into an electrical signal andtransmits the electrical signal to the electronic device ED through theconnection (e.g., first connection BL1).

In one embodiment, a microphone MIR of the right channel unit RCUconverts a sound into an electrical signal and transmits the electricalsignal to the electronic device ED through the second connection BL2.

In one embodiment, the sound received by the microphones MIL, MIR can bethe environment voice and/or the user's voice.

In step 230, the processor PCR adjusts the first electrical signal togenerate the second electrical signal. The processor PCR is coupled tothe wireless connection module WCM (e.g., a Bluetooth module).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR of the electronic device ED adjuststhe electrical signal received from the sound device (e.g., left channelunit LCU) to generate another electrical signal and transmits anotherelectronic signal to another sound device (e.g., right channel unitRCU).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR of the electronic device ED adjuststhe electrical signal received from the right channel unit RCU toanother electrical signal and transmits another electronic signal to theanother left channel unit LCU.

In one embodiment, the speaker (e.g., speaker SPR) of another sounddevice (e.g., right channel unit RCU) converts the received anotherelectrical signal into another sound.

In one embodiment, the speaker SPL of another left channel unit LCUconverts another electrical signal into another sound.

The embodiments above are combinable and even can be separatelyimplemented. For example, the wireless connection module WCM establishesa first connection BL1 between the electronic device ED and the leftchannel unit LCU and establishes a second connection BL2 between theelectronic device ED and the right channel unit RCU. The microphone MILconverts a first sound (e.g., the user's voice) into a first electricalsignal and the left channel unit LCU transmits the first electricalsignal to the electronic device ED through the first connection BL1. Theprocessor PCR adjusts (e.g., changing volume or translating to otherlanguage) the first electrical signal received from the left channelunit LCU to generate the second electrical signal and transmits thesecond electronic signal to the right channel unit RCU. The speaker SPRconverts the second electrical signal into a second sound, so thatanother user can hear the adjusted voice. On another aspect, themicrophone MIR converts a third sound (e.g., another user's voice) intoa third electrical signal to the electronic device ED through the secondconnection BL2. The processor PCR adjusts (e.g., changing volume ortranslating to other language) the third electrical signal received fromthe right channel unit RCU to generate a fourth electrical signal andtransmits the fourth electronic signal to the left channel unit LCU. Thespeaker SPL converts a fourth electrical signal into a fourth sound, sothat the user can hear the adjusted voice.

FIGS. 3-6 depict schematic diagrams of the scenarios applying themulti-connection method according to one embodiment of presentinvention. In one embodiment, the processor PCR witches to thewhispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode, the detailis described as follows.

In the FIG. 3, when user A is riding a scooter and user B is apassenger, user A can wear the right channel unit RCU and user B canwear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be placedin the pocket of user A (or user B). In this way, the processor PCRswitches to a whispering mode to adjust the third electrical signalreceived from right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electricalsignal and transmit the fourth electronic signal to left channel unitLCU. The whispering mode is for performing a short distanceconversation. Thus, user A can talk to user B without the louder voicewhen user A is riding the scooter.

In the FIG. 4A, user A and user B are in a library. When user A wants totalk to user B in a whisper, user A can wear the right channel unit RCUand user B can wear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device EDcan be placed on the table or any place in the wireless communicationarea of the electronic device ED. In this way, the processor PCRswitches to a whispering mode to adjust the third electrical signalreceived from right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electricalsignal and transmits the fourth electronic signal to left channel unitLCU. The whispering mode is for performing a short distanceconversation. Thus, user A can talk to user B in a whisper.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR witches to the whispering mode, thevolume up mode or the translation mode according to a RSSI (ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator) signal detected by the wireless connectionmodule WCM. If the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSI threshold, theprocessor PCR switches to the whispering mode. For example, when theelectronic device ED placed on the table, the RSSI signal detected bythe wireless connection module WCM is larger than a RSSI threshold(e.g., 30 dB), it means that distance between the right channel unit RCUand the left channel unit LCU is larger than a region (but still in thewireless communication area of the electronic device ED, so that theelectronic device ED still can detect the RSSI signal), and theprocessor PCR switches to the whispering mode.

In the FIG. 4B, the processor PCR detects a degree DG (e.g., angledegree) between the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unitLCU. In a personal use situation, the processor PCR detects the degreeDG is smaller than a degree threshold (e.g., 90 degree), and determinesthat the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCU are in theears of one user (e.g., shown as FIG. 4B). In two persons use situation,if the degree DG is larger than the degree threshold, the processor PCRdetermines that the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCUare in different users' ears (e.g., shown as FIG. 4C).

In the FIG. 5, user A is an American boy only can speak English and userB is a Spanish girl only can speak Spanish. User B can wear the rightchannel unit RCU and user A can wear the left channel unit LCU. Theelectronic device ED can be hold by user A (or user B) or placed in anyplace in the wireless communication area of the electronic device ED.Due to the limitation language, it is hard for user A and user Bdirectly talking to each other, the processor PCR switches to atranslation mode to adjust the first electrical signal received fromleft channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal andtransmits the second electronic signal to right channel unit RCU. Thetranslation mode is for translating a first language (e.g., “Hello” inEnglish) to a second language (e.g., “Hola” in Spanish). Similarly,through the translation mode performed by the processor PCR, user B canunderstand the meaning that user A wants to represent when user A istalking in English. Thus, user A and user B can easily have aconversation.

In the FIG. 6, user A is a boy and user B is user A's (the boy's)grandfather. User A can wear the right channel unit RCU and user B canwear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be hold byuser A (or user B) or placed in any place in the wireless communicationarea of the electronic device ED. Due to user B is hard of hearing, theprocessor PCR switches to a volume up mode to adjust the thirdelectrical signal received from the right channel unit RCU to generatethe fourth electrical signal and transmits the fourth electronic signalto left channel unit LCU. The volume up mode is for making the amplifierof the third electrical signal larger. Thus, user B (grandfather) caneasily hear the voice talked from the user A (the boy) through the leftchannel unit LCU.

The embodiments above mentioned can be combined. For example, in FIG. 6,assuming the user B (grandfather) is hard of hearing and only understandJapanese language, and user A is an American boy only can speak English,the processor PCR switches to a volume up mode and then switches totranslation mode to adjust the third electrical signal received fromright channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electrical signal andtransmits the fourth electronic signal to left channel unit LCU. Thus,user B (grandfather) can hear the louder voice with the translatedJapanese language. Thus, user B (grandfather) can easily have aconversation with the user A (the boy) through the left channel unitLCU.

The method for switching one electrical signal to a whispering mode, avolume up mode or a translation mode can be implemented by knowtechnology, therefore, the detail description is not mentioned.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode,the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a inputconfiguration. For example, user can setup the configuration by theinterface provided by the electronic device ED (e.g., a configurationinterface of a smart phone).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode,the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a RSSI signaldetected by the wireless connection module WCM. If the RSSI signal islarger than a RSSI threshold, the processor PCR switches to thewhispering mode.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR adjusts the first electrical signalreceived from the first sound device to generate the fourth electricalsignal according to a USonic signal detected by a USonic module of theleft channel unit LCU. The USonic module generates the USonic signal byanalyzing the shape of a user's ear canal. The USonic signal is appliedto recognize the user, and the sound transfer module adjusts a soundfrequency of the first electrical signal corresponding to the user. Thetechnology of USonic is known. Therefore, the detail description ofUSonic technology is not further mentioned.

For example, in FIG. 6, when the user A (the boy) wears the rightchannel unit RCU and gives the left channel unit LCU to user B (thegrandfather) can wear, the USonic module in the left channel unit LCUdetects the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user B's earcanal. The USonic signal is transmitted to the electronic device ED, andthe processor PCR compares this received USonic signal with known USonicsignal storing a database (not shown) to recognize the user B and obtainthe personal data corresponding to user B (e.g, the personal datadescribes that user B is a Japanese and hard of hearing). The processorPCR adjusts the first electrical signal received from the left channelunit LCU to generate the second electrical signal according to the knownpersonal data corresponding to user B. Thus, the processor PCRautomatically switches to a volume up mode and then switches totranslation mode to adjust the first electrical signal received from theleft channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal andtransmits the second electronic signal to the right channel unit LCU.

Based on above, the multi-connection system and the multi-connectionsystem can control the voices outputted by sound devices according to awhispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode. And, themulti-connection system and the multi-connection system can flexiblyswitch to different modes by manual configuration, RSSI detection orUsonic detection. The present disclosure enhances the application of thesound devices by establishing the multi-connection directly between theelectronic device and sound devices, without other device. No connectionneed to be established between sound devices each other. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited in this regard, another communicationtechnology is within the contemplate scope of the present disclosure.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments arepossible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-connection device, comprising: aBluetooth module simultaneously establishing a first connection with aright channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a leftchannel unit of the headphone during a connection time; and a processor,coupled to the Bluetooth module, configured for processing a firstelectrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a secondelectrical signal transmitted via the second connection; wherein theprocessor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the secondelectrical signal.
 2. The multi-connection device of claim 1, whereinthe processor further adjusts the second electrical signal to generatethe first electrical signal and transmits the first electronic signal tothe right channel of the headphone.
 3. The multi-connection device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor switches to a whispering mode, a volumeup mode or a translation mode to adjust the first electrical signal togenerate the second electronic signal and transmit the second electronicsignal to left channel of the headphone; wherein the whispering mode isfor performing a short distance conversation, the volume up mode is formaking an amplifier of the first electrical signal larger, and thetranslation mode is for translating a first language into a secondlanguage.
 4. The multi-connection device of claim 3, wherein theprocessor switches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or thetranslation mode according to an input configuration.
 5. Themulti-connection device of claim 3, wherein the processor switches tothe whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation modeaccording to a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) signal detectedby the Bluetooth module; if the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSIthreshold, the processor switches to the whispering mode.
 6. Themulti-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts thefirst electrical signal to generate the second electrical signalaccording to a USonic signal detected by a USonic module of the leftchannel unit of the speaker; wherein the USonic module generates theUSonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user's ear canal.
 7. Themulti-connection device of claim 6, wherein the USonic signal is appliedto recognize a user and the processor adjusts a sound frequency of thefirst electrical signal corresponding to the user.
 8. Themulti-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor detects adegree between the right channel unit and the left channel unit; whenthe degree is larger than a degree threshold, the processor determinesthat the right channel unit and the left channel unit are in differentusers' ears.
 9. A multi-connection method, comprising: simultaneouslyestablishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphoneand a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone duringa connection time by a Bluetooth module; and processing a firstelectrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a secondelectrical signal transmitted via the second connection by a processor;wherein the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module; wherein theprocessor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the secondelectrical signal.
 10. The multi-connection method of claim 9, furthercomprising: adjusting the second electrical signal to generate the firstelectrical signal and transmits the first electronic signal to the rightchannel of the headphone by the processor.
 11. The multi-connectionmethod of claim 9, furthering comprising: switching to a whisperingmode, a volume up mode or a translation mode to adjust the firstelectrical signal to generate the second electronic signal and transmitthe second electronic signal to left channel of the headphone by theprocessor; wherein the whispering mode is for performing a shortdistance conversation, the volume up mode is for making an amplifier ofthe first electrical signal larger, and the translation mode is fortranslating a first language into a second language.
 12. Themulti-connection method of claim 11, further comprising: switching tothe whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation modeaccording to an input configuration by the processor.
 13. Themulti-connection method of claim 11, further comprising: switching tothe whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode by theprocessor according to a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)signal detected by the Bluetooth module; if the RSSI signal is largerthan a RSSI threshold, the processor switches to the whispering mode.14. The multi-connection method of claim 9, further comprising:adjusting the first electrical signal to generate the second electricalsignal by the processor according to a USonic signal detected by aUSonic module of the left channel unit of the speaker; wherein theUSonic module generates the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of auser's ear canal.
 15. The multi-connection device of claim 14, whereinthe USonic signal is applied to recognize a user and the processoradjusts a sound frequency of the first electrical signal correspondingto the user.
 16. The multi-connection method of claim 9, furthercomprising: detecting a degree between the right channel unit and theleft channel unit by a processor; wherein when the degree is larger thana degree threshold, the processor determines that the right channel unitand the left channel unit are in different users' ears.